Tag Archives: Pistols

This is the best rework of the XD series Springfield has. I like this better than the XDM. The new MOD.2 is shaped right. It fills the hand without being too large and is just grippy enough to be be grippy without being abrasive. The regular XD’s and XDM’s feel slick in my hands… .and for that reason I just don’t take to them. Had this been the design back before I got my Glock 23 – I think I could have been very likely to have selected one of these. Now look at the Slide and Frame contours… You know what? The XD isn’t ugly anymore. It’s grown into quite the handsome figure. I like the slide serrations. They did a great job.
There’s just one problem.“GRIP ZONE”? Seriously? Where’s the “SLIDE ZONE” markings? Captain Obvious needs to stay out of the Design Room at Springfield and maybe take a holiday to eastern Syria. GRIP ZONE… Who approved that? Who did that? Who is responsible for GRIP ZONE? If you know who that guy is… Mark his face with a Sharpie “SLAP ZONE”. Please.
Other than that… Home Run, Springfield. Home Run! I’ll be waiting for and 3.8 Compact Mod.2 in the XDM series… But this is tempting. as it is. Very well done, Springfield… Bravo!

This is a long time coming. I’ve wanted to Armchair Quarterback FNH for a good long time – but have always put it off because I knew this was going to be a massive AQB Session. Because I’ve got a lot of notes to go through here. Buckle Up.

The only question here is how do we go about this one? Let’s make it easy for you guys to follow along. Go grab a 2015 FNH Catalog from your stack/file of manufacturer’s catalogs… or stop by your local dealer to get one. Let’s just go through this page by page.

Page 13… Notice that it takes you 13 pages in their product catalog to get to their catalog. The prior 12 pages establish that, yes, FNH is awesome. They’ve take the Banner of the Builders of Badass away from Colt and away from HK. Impressive feat. You should change your logo now. Gloss Black background with gold lettering. Where was I? Ah – Page 13. We see a great photo of an FNS-9C. That’s an outstanding pistol. Recently there came the addition of the .40 caliber version – which is outstanding. But where is the FNS-45C? That’s a hole right in the middle of the lineup. There are a lot of shooters that still like .45 Auto. I myself would rather a .45 than a 9mm.
Another hole in this line up of Compacts – is a compact FNX. A hammer fired version. I know Strikers are all the Rage, and coming out with a Striker compact first was a good move, yes. However I’m waiting on the X version. I want a hammer. Not only that, I want that compact hammer-fired pistol in .45. I’m a traditionalist… I have gray in my beard… I’ve earned my opinion.
Now let’s talk about the FNS-C pistols specifically. Making them a straight up chopped version of the full sized guns is good – but you kind of missed the point on this. Compacts like these are meant for covert carry. Concealed carry. Under Cover, close to the body, under the shirt and inside the waistband carry. The problem is that the FNS-C’s have some bloody sharp edges on it where there shouldn’t be.
Give the “Little C” pistols a melt job. Just have a guy hit them with a belt sander a little bit before sending the slide to get finished. Hit some of that grip frame as well. In fact, if you could… Take that grip frame and just sand that frame rail right off the bottom. No rails.

NO RAILS!!!

The idea here is to keep the FNS-9C as small as possible and as comfortable as possible for concealed carry. Don’t think that would work? Look at the SIG M-11, it has no rails and SIG is selling the hell out of them. Oh, would you look at that – it also has a hammer. Just sayin.

Pages 15-17. The FNS and FNX series as shown. Solid guns. I really like them. But turn real quick to page 18. What do you see? The FNX-45 Tactical.
Are you following me here? Yeah… I’m going to say it. Where are the FNX-9 Tacticals? And the FNX-40 Tacticals? With the extended threaded barrels, suppressor sights, and slides cut for Micro-Red Dots? S&W has this with the CORE pistols – hugely popular. In fact, when I was with a certain tactical holster company – that was one of the #1 questions about the M&P holsters – would they fit the CORE. Glock has the MOS series of pistols out now – all pre-cut for RMR sights. What – does FNH think only guys wanting that are shooting .45 Autos?
While we are talking Tactical editions… Where is an FNS Tactical? Because the CORE and the MOS pistols just happen to be strikers. FNH, you need to bring balance to these forces.

Let’s talk colors. Page 18 and page 19, I’m seeing Tan frames. Where are the Tan frames on the other pistols? I mean, obviously, you guys have the capability to do tan frames… but you’ve chosen not to. Let me tell ya something. Glock pistols in the alternate Tan color – always sell out before the regular black pistols do. And a Tan gun in the Compact lines actually make a lot more sense as they will be less noticeable than a black gun. That and folks just like different color options. I’m not saying pull out a rainbow… But FDE and ODG would not go amiss here.

Speaking of a miss here… The long slide guns… Some factory installed adjustable sights with a high-vis front sight post would be ideal.

Know what would also be idea? An FNX Tactical in 10mm. Yes, I’m suggesting that. Interest in 10mm is on the upswing and more options in 10mm would really help. Working with dealers who sell FNH – I have heard many many times “If this was in 10mm…”
Come on – just a special edition run of them at least. That would be legendary.

Page 19. The Five-Seven. You know what else I’ve heard a lot of wishes about? A Compact version of the Five-Seven for concealed carry. Guys that are into it wish they could pack these concealed.
Shorter mags down to 20 rounds – chop the barrel a 3/4 an inch, melt job, and no rails. The 57C. Seriously… that would be awesome. Also, it needs the Tactical Treatment as well. Extended threaded, RMR cut. Do it. People ask for it.

The FNH FNX 45 is one of the top contenders in the debate about what the new military pistol should be. It’s big, accurate, has a high capacity, and as reliable as the sunrise. It would be a great sidearm for any of our nation’s warriors.

Unless that warrior had small hands. Even with the replaceable backstraps… it’s still a large pistol to hold on to for a lot of people. Many would not be able to operate it as efficiently as would be ideal.

The HK HK45 on the other hand, is far more ergonomic and doesn’t feel as large. It’s as accurate and reliable as the FNX, but it doesn’t have the capacity. 12 instead of 15. So it’s a trade of. A few less rounds, but more comfortable and more people can shoot it easier. And… it’s a sexier looking pistol. Given the pros and cons… it’s a touch choice. What do you guys think? Pick one.
(My normal response of “Both” is of course already noted. But if you had to pick just one… pick one.)

I like this gun. It felt very good in my hands, shot very accurately… Much closer to point of aim, point of impact for me… just ran “Good“.

Good isn’t really the right word… Freaking Awesome is about right. It felt freaking awesome. I know the Storm isn’t a SIG or a 1911… But it’s a wonderful shooting gun. 10 rounds in the mag isn’t all that impressive, but the mag is smooth and easy to load and feels like its a higher quality piece than most other mags.
I don’t mind the Beretta Safety. I even like it. I don’t mind the DA/SA trigger. I even like it. I don’t mind the funky action – I really like it. I’m weird that way. But when you have a .45 that shoots like it’s launching Nerfs instead of 230 grain slugs… that’s something. When you have a gun that puts the first 5 rounds into the same bloody hole, right where you wanted it to go – That’s awesome. I know this group doesn’t look like its really all that much better than the Glock 30s’s group. But the gun felt like I had much more control, and that I was placing my shots better…. It felt like that. I knew where the bullet was going to go before I looked at the target. I could call the shots with it. Normally I can only really do that with a 220 or 1911… but I could with the Storm.
Now, the Storm is not up there like a SIG P220 is, or a nice 1911 is… But it’s right up there, real close. I like this gun. A lot.
The trigger pull could use some work. It’s not all that smooth on the example I fired. Which was a Range Rental Gun, that I think I was the first guy to try it out.

There was a time… 2013, where the Glock 30s was the object of my desire. Having spent some quality time with one… I’m not all that hot to trot for it anymore.

At 30 feet, that’s a respectable group. But I just feel… “Meh” about it. Not that there was anything wrong with it. The gun shot very well. And 10+1 Capacity of full bore .45 Auto is nothing to sneeze at. That’s more ammo on board than a full sized 1911, in a package that is much smaller and lighter. Trigger was typical of Glock’s 5.5 pound trigger… You feel one, you’ve felt them all. And I know that can be altered at will thanks to our friends at Lone Wolf Distributors. And the sights too. The sights on factory Glocks… Why THE HELL are they so stupid? Seriously. They suck. Balls. They suck balls.
The grip needs a bit of work being rather slick in my hands. To me, really, Glocks are project guns. Spend some time with them, making them feel and fire how I want them too. And then once the project is over, I just feel done with them. I like them enough to want to play with them… But I am not emotionally attached. Like Vegas hookers or something.

I know all the arguments for the Glocks… I do. I sang them myself when I was drinking the Glock-Koolaide. But… I’m just… Done with Glocks. They are just not me. I don’t feel that connection with them. I don’t feel that connection with my Microwave Oven either. But I do with my old fashioned Weber Grill. One is an appliance that I use to get a job done. The other gets that job done, but takes time and care… and I spend more time with it and come to love it all the more every time I use it. Not the Microwave. And not the Glock.

But if you like it – I understand way. I respect your opinion. Mine just differs.

This gun has been on my mind lately. Packing a full sized 1911 and a full sized 92FS poses difficulty when entering areas where you really don’t want your concealed gun to be made.

It’s a good looking gun. Short, small, and I can reload with a full sized mag.

At some undisclosed point in the past, at some undisclosed location, I was carrying concealed in a place that had it surfaced that I was packing concealed… would have been bad. Not technically illegal, but it would not have been a happy situation.

While I knew my gun was lawfully concealed, I felt distracted and self conscience because this was a less tolerant place.

Unlike past Ruger center-fire autos, the SR series is well sculpted and suitable for concealed carry.

Normally I operate and a Total ZFG situation when it comes to this sort of thing. I just don’t care what others think… But when others could take actions that, while wrong, would… how should I say… hinder my calm. I’ve not decided, but am thinking about getting something that is a bit more concealable. I don’t want to go IWB, but I’d consider it.

The only double stacked gun I can remember that is narrow like the SR series, is the Browning BDM.

So I’m thinking a gun that’s shorter and as reasonably narrow and still be comfortable. Now, I’m not wanting to go Single Stack… Because while I am not all that concerned with a high capacity, I like even more the idea of my reload giving me a boost… because if I Go Loud, I probably need a lot more ammo. Especially if I’m using something as anemic as 9mm. Which I consider Fine, but I’d like Finer. I love my Beretta and shoot it quite well… and carry it often… but it has a lot of rounds. Going down to a single digit round count for concealed carry – I’d rather have my reload give me as much as it can.

The Ruger SR9C gives me all of the above wants.
Of course, a Ruger SP101 would serve just as well.

*sigh*

I am conflicted. Maybe we can chalk this up to New Gun Itch. (The GP100 is still happening – eventually)

The Ultimate 1911 for EDC (Every Day Carry) has got to be the classic Light Weight Commander.

Those simple wood grips, with the simple blacked out finish… No Ramp rear sight… This is an example of LW Commander Perfection. It doesn’t get any better than this.

To me, this is the just the ideal 1911, period. It’s the most flexible, capable 1911 you can get. When you step away from this pattern, you step into more specialized, more limited areas. You can easily rock an LW Commander in an IDPA match, and win it. You can easily take that same gun and wear it for week concealed. You go to a 5″ Government if you like. And that’s fine. But packing it concealed every day gets to be tedious. Especially if you are getting in and out of vehicles all week. You can go shorter than 4″ if you like… makes packing it much easier, sure. But you sacrifice reliability in a way that I just find to be unacceptable. Maybe you don’t need a reliable sidearm. Huh… Well, someone is buying Kimber Ultras. No… to me, the LW Commander just has it all. The question though is WHICH light weight Commander.

Ruger is all over the place with their new LW Commander. No, it’s not that I’ve been a Ruger Fan Boy lately, it’s just that Ruger is really “Doing It Right” lately. (Granted – their new “Custom” LCP should be an LC9S, but that’s another topic) I really like what Ruger has been doing lately. 5 years ago – I may have had to hurt you should you have suggested that I’d be saying that. But it’s true. Ruger is making some fine products, and their 1911’s are getting better. If anything, they are really worth taking a look at.

1. TRIGGER: Probably the most important feature for your EDC. 99% of all accuracy issues seem to always come back to trigger control. Now that doesn’t mean that with your skills and abilities you can’t master a goofy trigger. But why put yourself through that?

When selecting your EDC, pick a weapon that has a trigger that feels good. Think of it as putting on a pair of boxer shorts one size too small. You’d likely eventually adjust, but it never really feels natural and quite right.

You are correct, Sir. Most all accuracy issues can be found in the trigger. However it is not in the Mechanics of the Trigger, but in the Manipulation. It’s how you use it. Even a bad trigger used by a good shooter can result in outstanding accuracy. Just like a great trigger used by a poor shooter will of course result in poor accuracy. To quote Chuck Yeager, “It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot.” You can not buy proficiency. That takes practice, regardless of what pistol you buy.

2. GRIP SIZE: Look at your hands! If your a small petite woman with tiny hands, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you’re not going to like the full size 10mm Glock 20. And by the same token, I’m a big guy with bear claws for hands. So I personally hate shooting the Sig P938. Again, this is a preference thing. Does your hand naturally wrap around the grip? Does the grip length extend to the base of your hand, or are your finger(s) dangling off the end? Does the grip angle fit and feel well in the webbing between your thumb and trigger finger? Find what feels natural for you.

Here’s where a lot of compromises come in to play. The Litany of Questions that the author asked are rather useless to the purpose. EDC, “Every Day Carry”, for the most part really means “Concealed Carry”. And that means different things for different people. Everything having to do with Concealed Carry means Compromise. You are going to compromise Power, Practical Accuracy, Comfort, and Capacity all for the sake of having something that you the EDC Person can have on you all the time, every day. How you dress, what you are going to be doing that day, the weather, where you are going… all these factors come into play. And for all of this, the gun is the least important selection… more importantly is having the right Holster.

3: Frame Size & Safety: This one is simple. How are you planning to carry? If you want to concealed carry, a full size Glock with a 5 inch barrel will pose some significant challenges. Furthermore, frame size plays a part in felt recoil with larger calibers as well. So that tiny 9mm may actually thump a tad harder than a full size .45.

What about an external mechanical safety? I prefer not to have one. One less thing to fiddle with if you need your EDC in action. But that’s only my preference. If you prefer an external safety, PRACTICE WITH IT! And by practice, I mean find a range that lets you draw and fire from the holster. Get your draw stroke and safety disengagement down as you draw, and your trigger press smooth and consistent as you extend your arms. Fire 2 or 3 rounds at your threat (target), clear the area to the right and left, safety, re-holster, and repeat.

Wait, didn’t you already talk about size? So… you need to talk about it again. Huh, I guess size does matter. You pull out a 5 inch Glock? So a Glock 34, 35, or 41… essentially Glock’s competition pistols. So you are saying not to EDC a Competition Pistol. Okay. I guess that means I’ll leave my Razorcat at home as well. Wait, we’re talking Size again and all the sudden you just straight into a day long pistol course in the space of one paragraph. Dude, everything you explain, you do by asking questions. Don’t ask me questions, give me the answers. This is why we’re reading your article! And why I’m fisking it.

External Mechanical Safeties, good point about practicing with it. But the difficulties involved with it are grossly overstated. If you have the mental capacity to conclude that you have all the legal criteria met for the use of lethal force to remedy whatever situation you are in, you should also be smart enough to know how to flip a lever from SAFE to FIRE. This is not rocket science. And it’s not solving a Rubic’s Cube. It’s a Safety Lever. Yes, indeed… Practice with it. A lot. In my police academy, we were told 500 Presentations from your holster before you carry a new gun or use a new holster on duty. That sounds like a lot… and it is. But it’s more of a goal than a requirement. The point of it is practice and get used to it.

Good God, when this subject comes up, it’s worse than a male genitalia measuring contest! What good is a large caliber if your rounds are 5 feet off target? And I’m not talking about the first round. I’m talking about the follow up shots. In a real life or death scenario, you’re going to fire until you stop the threat. Your EDC should be a caliber that you can consistently control well. If you can do that, SIZE DOESN’T MATTER!

Well, yes and no. There are minimums and maximums. I wouldn’t go below .380 Auto for a defensive caliber. Too many people out there are using .22 Long Rifle, .32 Auto, .25 Auto… These are just not up to the task. Even if shot placement is perfect, it may not stop the threat. The threat is the whole reason you are shooting. The Bad Guy or Wild Animal or whatever alien, monster, zombie is ruining your day… you are shooting it because it’s about to do something really bad and you have to stop it from doing that thing. If I come at you with my wee little pocket knife, and you pull your .22 or .25 on me… I promise you, I will turn you into coleslaw and you will be dead before I get tired and expire. You will beat me to the Pearly Gates because your gun isn’t enough to stop me. At least, not with a reasonable enough expectancy. There are occasional antidotes of immediate threats being halted. But there are far more that are just otherwise. Such as people not even knowing they had been hit until later. Such a President Regan, who caught a small caliber bullet and didn’t realize it.
On the flip side, handguns designed for hunting make poor EDC choices. Not just for size and weight considerations but for power. A cartridge designed to drop an Alaskan Brown is probably not the best idea for self defense. Not from the stand point of ruined meat, but the legal liability of over-penetration and having to articulate this in front of a jury. This is a very real and legitimate concern these days. The heyday of “carry as much gun as you can” is long over. I suggest using similar calibers and similar loads as your local law enforcement uses. Because in court, you can articulate you chose that same loads for the same reasons. Your attorney will be able to defend you easier than if you chose something along the lines of something exotic. There are no Magic Bullets.

5: Magazine Capacity: Finally, the magical trade off. Magazine capacity vs. concealability. This is a question that only you can answer. Just remember, there’s no rulebook that says you can only have one attacker at a time. Be prepared, and be ready.

In conclusion, your EDC is by your side constantly, like your spouse. So make sure it feels natural, fits well, isn’t uncomfortable, doesn’t kick you too hard, and you practice with it frequently.

A question only I can answer? You haven’t answered any questions! I’ve never been in a situation where I wished I had less ammo. Ideally you want as much as you can get in your gun. But we’re talking EDC and that means Concealment for most of us, and that means compromising. Capacity is usually the first to go. But if your caliber is adequate, capacity is generally mitigated and less of a concern. Most small handguns are packing 6 or more rounds, snub nose revolvers generally get 5 shots. This is just fine for most of us. Most defensive shootings are only 1 or 2 rounds. Mostly. Realistically though, a five shot snub is going to be plenty. And if you need more, this is why you carry more ammunition, either in a Speed Loader, Speed Strip, or Spare Magazine. Not a bigger, heavier gun. But hey, if you can pack a full sized Beretta 92FS with a 17 round capacity, or an XDM with a whole box worth of Hollow Points – then more power to you. But you will still want to carry a spare mag.

Unlike your Spouse, you are not married to your EDC carry gun. You can have more than one. In fact, in most places, there are no limits on how many you can have or even carry on you if you want to go Yosemite Sam. I’d suggest having several guns and carry the best one for what your day has planned. Feel, your perception of recoil, comfort… that’s all BS. Clint Smith said that a carry gun shouldn’t be Comfortable, it should be Comforting. You are not picking out a Puppy or a fluffy pillow… you are picking a weapon for which you are going to use to defend your life, or the lives of your loved ones. The only considerations after you have concluded that it is one that you will be able to actually EDC with… RELIABILITY is First and Foremost. It has to go bang every single time. Second – Practical Accuracy. You have to be able to make hits with it. If you can’t hit your target with it, it does no good outside of brandishing and taking selfies in the bathroom. And that takes – and I agree with the author completely – Practice. Dedicated, frequent practice. Even after you have taken your courses and have confidence, you still have to practice. Shooting skills are like Milk. It goes bad quick if you are not cycling through it.

I don’t have a Vertec… But I do have a Blue Gun of the Beretta Vertec. The weight is completely wrong, but the shape is right on. I like it. In fact, I think I’d really like to get a Vertec. Unfortunately Beretta has long discontinued it.

This was a big mistake. Not as big as discontinuing the 90-Two instead of just re-naming it. Maybe bigger than the killing off the Cheetahs. Word is that Beretta is bringing back the Cheetah. The least of these three sins. Beretta, BRING BACK THE OTHER TWO!
Bring back the 90-TWO. Bring Back The Vertec. Just do it.

DA/SA Service Grade Automatics. Who’s your favorite? Okay, we’re talking the Brand on the whole, considering all the related models and variations they make. Who’s your Top Brand and why?

SIG?
Beretta?
CZ?
Other?

The Traditional DA/SA auto seems to be in the gold years with more and more trainers and advocating striker fired guns with uniform trigger pulls from first to second shots. Glocks, M&P’s, an XDM’s being the Striker Triad. But I think that the DA/SA platform still has its place, and I still love them. Especially for Open Carry, Duty Service… They are big, menacing, sexy, and very stable and accurate. Outside of 1911’s I shoot them them best. A lot better than Safe actions or DAO guns.

I’m thinking the Holy Trinity for DA/SA’s is SIG, Beretta, and CZ. Across the board, I think the Beretta Brand takes the lead for consistent quality. From what I’ve seen and dealt with with 8+ years behind a Gun Counter and… ahem… a few more years of shooting… I’ve seen problems with all of them. I’ve seen far fewer though with Beretta. But that’s not just the thing. It’s also how good they’ve been. How smooth the triggers and slides were. How tight they locked up. I don’t think any brand for any type of auto is nearly as smooth as Berettas. SIG’s are second and CZ is 3rd overall for smoothness.

However, for an out of the box trigger – the very best DA/SA trigger I have ever felt was on a CZ 97B. Just incredible! But other CZ triggers left me disappointed. Same with SIG, overall very good, but not quiet as good overall as SIG’s I’ve fired. One SIG though, a 229 SAS…. Oh man. That was truly a great trigger. Flip side, the SIG’s have shown some triggers that were less than stellar.
Beretta though wins in the same way a Race Team wins the Championship overall without having actually taken first place.

My 92FS had a very good trigger to start out with. I swapped the main spring for the “D Spring” and it got a lot better. It’s not a GREAT trigger. This makes me wonder, why doesn’t Beretta just use the D Springs as standard? Because the difference was dramatic!

I love the 92. I love the SIG 220/226/228/229. I love the CZ P-01/SP-01. Overall though, I think that Beretta takes it.